Maggot snowmobile thread

[Cruiser]

Really good storm cycle in the central Sawatch

[SirVicSmasher]

I’m going to say Baker but who the hill knows. I’m a Canuck so it’s hard to determine. I was curious as braap’n 5 min of glacier is very reserved for the upmost top explorers of the 48. We have some insane pulls around our parts (3k) that
equate but only in extreme glacial environments. I’m sure it’s more common the more north you extend, but rare in your parts.

8500 ft of vert from the parking lot to where your not supposed to ride past. From the meadow (4500)to 10k takes about 5 mins wide open . Hard on sleds but good for the soul

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[Cruiser]

Deep days

[skinipenem]

Indeed it is. There are 2 volcanoes in Washington that allow brap...I'll let you figure out which one it is

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I think I know given the other two volcanoes on the distance. I'll keep it quiet, though, because I want to go with when I move out there.

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[crashidy]

Most excellent addition

[BCMtnHound]

Thank you. Need to talk the best half into another trailer, with accompanying sled. N+1

[crashidy]

Thank you. Need to talk the best half into another trailer, with accompanying sled. N+1

Hah. Started with two back in 2012. Wife was awesome. Kid came in 2015. Dropped to one. Now she is interested in coming out again and same with 9yo. Even if its hot chocolate and safe zone kid laps. Getting then both out will be fun.

[SirVicSmasher]

Most excellent addition

She looks nice

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[Huskier]

My buddy has got me high on the idea of getting a sled this year. I know a great deal about many things, snowmobiles is NOT one of them. My use-case is N. Cascades access, NOT hill climbing/brapping around. I'm ideally looking used. Prefer 4 stroke to 2. My understanding is I want a mid-150's track. The jury is still out on engine size but it seems like 600 should do? I weight 205# and may need to double not infrequently. 800 sounds...big.

1) I am an evil Sprinter owner. Boooo. So the thing's going on a trailer. Towing this thing on snow seems like it's going to be an adventure. Is this an immediate no-go? Any tips for not killing myself? I can maneuver and load a trailer...

2) Any brands/models to avoid?

3) Assuming I can't tell anything about previous owners, what is reasonable mileage for a used sled?

4) I can ride a dirt bike, quad, jet ski. But it seems like there's a whole technique to sledding? Am I going to loop the thing? How does one extract a tipped sled? Do I need some kind of accessories? Have tow straps, etc.

5) How do you hide it from the wife? Is there a stealth model?

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[heckacali]

You lost me at 4 stroke

[LHutz Esq]

1) I use a trailer, would a deck be better - yes- but my truck with canopy is also my station wagon so trailer it is. It really isn't that bad. Some access areas suck a bit, but you get used to it. Plan ahead and go slow. Get comfortable with long reverses and it will be fine.
2) All sleds break. There is plenty of discussions on the ones that are more likely to do so here.
3) Depends on your budget.
4) Yes the technique is different, you are unlikely to loop it- especially if you go with a 165ish track, go with people that know what they are doing. Aside from an avi shovel (I have one on my sled so I don't have to mess with my avi pack) and a folding saw I just carry webbing for ski pulls.
5) Park it in the Sprinter. Or do the "I am borrowing it from a friend" to see if I will like it. Or, use it to give the Mrs. sled drops on the top of sweet powder lines- this worked for me.

I don't know of any four-strokes I would buy (no Yamaha dealer here). I also wouldn't by a 600 here either as the used ones are more expensive and weigh basically the same as the 800s.

[Huskier]

You lost me at 4 stroke

See this is why I need help. I guess it's not a thing so much? I'm stuck fighting stanky oil mix and clogged reeds? I still have PTSD from the 125 I had growing up.

Also back to the towing question: Snow tires on the trailer? Is it easy to jack knife on packed/drifting snow? This is my main apprehension



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[riff]

I have to second the desire for a 4stroke but damn they are heavy, in some cases over 150 pounds more. If you ever want to break trail on anything deep it’ll be tough,
and everyone gets stuck eventually no matter what. The reduced noise and longer engine lifespan all sound great, but not worth it for anything more than puttering around on groomed roads.

I use mine for access to the central and north cascades; i have a ‘12 RMK 600/ 155” and ‘16 AXYS 800/163”. Both great sleds for what i do, and polaris emphasizes low weight over some other things like cooling so they are less bad to unstick. I added tunnel coolers and even on ice i’m good to go.
Agree on second shovel, experienced and patient partners, radios, and trailers aren’t so bad.

Worth it to reach the goods when it’s raining down low or the weekend crowd is out!



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[John_B]

4 strokes are heavy. Heavy sucks when you get stuck. You get stuck when you get scared. You'll get scared a lot.

You don't have to worry about mix, just fill the gas tank and keep the oil reservoir full and the machine takes care of the rest. If you're driving a sprinter you should be able to afford an EFI sled vs carbs.

I've never worried about snow tires on my trailer but am typically only hauling the sleds 20 miles or so but frequently on snow & ice. I'm sure if I slammed on the brakes my trailer would get squirrelly but that'd probably be the case with snow tires too.

You won't loop your sled out but you will get stuck. A lot. Have a good shovel, not some chintzy skimo thing.

[LHutz Esq]

If I am having issues with my trailer because of snow-drifts, it is time to park, unload and ride the sled.

That is on access roads of course. On the highway, just slow down and you will make it. I do not have snow tires on my trailer.

[Cruiser]

I had a Yamaha nitro 1000 4 stroke and it was so hard to learn to ride anywhere but on groomed trails. Too heavy to be nibble and, honestly, the power wasn't anywhere near as spicy as an 800 2 stroke.

Hauling a trailer isn't that bad but like others said, go slow and take your time. Sled trailers are usually are light enough to move em by hand if parking is tight.

Nobody wants less power on their sled. If you can afford a modern 800 or larger then get that. Skip the 600 unless you get some kind of remarkable deal on a nearly new one. I've had plenty of fun on 600s and 700s but as the saying goes, there's no replacement for displacement.

Plan to get stuck, especially early season. Ride with a crew who has some experience and they'll help you understand how not to get stuck as much and also how to get out. Plan to flip it over too. Shit happens when you have that much power in such a light package operating on a very dynamic surface.

[Wapow]

Long time WA based sled skier here. First off, doubling up truly sucks, get two sleds. Regarding trailer tires, pretty much nobody has snow tires on an open deck trailer. They don't slide out unless it's truly icy, in which case you'd need chains, which really aren't a thing for open deck trailers either, at least not in the northwest. You should pay more attention to your van tires, because pulling a trailer will dramatically reduce your traction going up and down hills, especially on factory tires. If you're only going to have one sled (mistake!), get a single place trailer to go with it. As for sleds, get the newest 800 of 850 two stroke mountain sled(s) you can afford. Ski Doo is generally best for beginners. Four stroke mountain sleds aren't even being manufactured anymore (because like doubling up, they truly suck).

[Foggy_Goggles]

What sled is this thread on rewind

a. unless you are only riding groomed roads, pick Doo or Poo based on what your friends have, get the best mountain sled in your budget, be a dick about it.

b. not stuck = not trying there are as many ways to get unstuck as there are ways to get stuck. generally speaking, you are high centered on your running boards. stomp out next to sled, flip sled on side, pack snow under track and belly pan, ski pull out.

c. snowmobiling is hard, thats why its fun. embrace the suck

[adrenalated]

What sled is this thread on rewind

a. unless you are only riding groomed roads, pick Doo or Poo based on what your friends have, get the best mountain sled in your budget, be a dick about it.

b. not stuck = not trying there are as many ways to get unstuck as there are ways to get stuck. generally speaking, you are high centered on your running boards. stomp out next to sled, flip sled on side, pack snow under track and belly pan, ski pull out.

c. snowmobiling is hard, thats why its fun. embrace the suck

This is 100% correct.

Here are more potential unstucking techniques depending on the situation
-pin and wiggle
-back and forth like a minivan with Texas plates
-roll it downhill
-cut down the tree you crashed into
-drink a beer and contemplate your stupidity then get it unstuck
-dig a hole to China

[BCMtnHound]

Most has been said. Just a note that Yamaha is discontinuing their sled line but will support service for awhile yet. So only new 4-strokes will be heavy utility sleds that really only work on groomed trails. So go 2-stroke. The modern sleds burn relatively clean and sip the oil.

Spring is a better time to buy used, but I think (hope?) the COVID mania with rec toys is over. Be cautious with used sleds approaching 4000km and ridden hard, especially the 800’s or larger and turbos. Most likely will be due for a top end replacement. Or worse.

[XXX-er]

I was texing junior and he is doing lots of upper body workout at the Y in anticipation of digging out the sled

[SnowMachine]

Get a modern 800 2-stroke. 155+ track and never look back. Brap!!

[heckacali]

Add: fuel injected

As mentioned, think about your budget first, then go shopping, then add a few thousand on your budget to get a better sled.
I don't follow Polaris, but skidoo has made good improvements with every new generation. I had friends that had the last generation and flat-out sold them at big loss after riding the newest generation as they said they were such a huge step up.

[SirVicSmasher]

You're gonna want a 165 over a 155 . You will need all the help you can get. Hell if all you're doing is ski access a 174 might be the ticket and you can usually find them much cheaper although I'm pretty sure all the oems stopped making them a couple years ago.

I'd say buy a poo and if you're in Seattle I can point you to the best dealer in town but a lot of folks here are partial to doo.

I'd say 7 or 8 grand will get you nice entry level sled you're looking for something with around 1500 miles or less.

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[SirVicSmasher]

I have to second the desire for a 4stroke but damn they are heavy, in some cases over 150 pounds more. If you ever want to break trail on anything deep it’ll be tough,
and everyone gets stuck eventually no matter what. The reduced noise and longer engine lifespan all sound great, but not worth it for anything more than puttering around on groomed roads.

I use mine for access to the central and north cascades; i have a ‘12 RMK 600/ 155” and ‘16 AXYS 800/163”. Both great sleds for what i do, and polaris emphasizes low weight over some other things like cooling so they are less bad to unstick. I added tunnel coolers and even on ice i’m good to go.
Agree on second shovel, experienced and patient partners, radios, and trailers aren’t so bad.

Worth it to reach the goods when it’s raining down low or the weekend crowd is out!



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Hey riff the new polaris scratchers they released in 24 as part of their snowcheck announcement are the real Mccoy. You will run at thermostat temp all day. Most folks drop Temps by 40 degrees and if you forget to put them up when reversing it's OK. Best 100 bucks you can spend

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